It hadn’t made it any better when the doctor later confirmed I had not been violated. It was traumatic enough in both my mind and Kynan’s to know it had been a possibility.
I was at the hospital for a few hours, and everyone congregated there to wait for me. Detective Kitchner came to interview Kynan, Saint, Cruce, and me. My mom and Darren were obviously there, although they stayed in the waiting room while I’d been treated. I’m sure my mother would have wanted to be in there with me, but in this instance, I think she stepped aside for Kynan to claim his role as my main and primary protector.
Jerico, Bebe, and Rachel had caught a private jet out of Vegas, then drove straight to the hospital where they joined everyone else in the waiting room. Lynn and Harry as well. When I was finally discharged and brought out in a wheelchair, my feet heavily bandaged, it had been incredibly overwhelming to see them all smiling in relief and love. My mom cried, so, of course, I did, too. I’d known everyone except Jerico, but that hadn’t stopped him from giving me a massive hug once Kynan introduced us. Knowing he, Bebe, and Rachel had come just to support Kynan—and hopefully see me alive and well—prompted me to invite everyone to the house.
Kynan had not been happy about it. Had even tried to countermand my offer.
We had our first real fight right there in the emergency room lobby, me in a wheelchair and Kynan bending over me, arguing until he was red in the face.
I won though, and Cruce stopped by the store on the way to pick up champagne while Harry went to In-N-Out Burger and got a buttload of food.
Of course, Kynan carried me into my house and settled me in a big chair with pillows under my feet on the ottoman. From my throne, I entertained my guests. My mother hovered unnecessarily, but I didn’t mind. Ultimately, Darren chased her away to give others a chance to sit on the couch and talk to me. To have a few moments whereby they could ensure I was indeed okay on all counts.
Cruce and Saint doled out glasses of champagne, and Harry passed out burgers and fries. It was the best party I’ve ever been to in my entire life.
“Sure you don’t want a little champagne?” Lynn asks from the couch, interrupting my internal musings. Lynn had rushed in once my mother vacated her seat.
“I’m good.” I’d had half a glass a little earlier. If I had more, I’d probably be passed out given all I’d been through today.
Lynn wrinkles her nose at my denial of such a good bubbly, but moves to refill her own glass from an opened bottle of champagne on the coffee table. Because she is tipsy, she over pours, and it froths all over her. We both laugh. Rachel, who sees the mishap, comes running with some paper towels to clean her up.
I glance into the kitchen where the men are congregated. Jerico, Kynan, Saint, and Cruce. They make a damn fine-looking team, and I’m not just talking about their abilities. They are just damn good-looking men.
Kynan’s gaze drifts over to me, which he’s done about every two minutes or so since we came home, I suppose just to check to make sure I’m alive and breathing. When he smiles, I return it before giving my attention back to Lynn. She raises her champagne glass, not to toast me but to point an accusing finger.
“I cannot believe you got in that man’s car because you thought he had me,” she mutters.
“I didn’t know it was a fake photo.” My exasperation comes out clearly.
“I’m not talking about that,” she says with a dismissive wave. “I’m talking about risking your life for mine. You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Do you how hard it is to find a good manager? I mean, come on, Lynn, I was not about to let you go.”
She snorts and rolls her eyes before taking another healthy glug of champagne. I expect she’s going to be sleeping in one of the guest rooms tonight.
Bebe comes walking into the living room, carrying a bottle of water. She’s the only one who did not partake of the alcohol, and I wonder why.
I don’t know her well enough to ask, so I let it go.
She takes a seat on the opposite end of the couch from Lynn, then settles into it. Shooting me a wry smile, she says, “I honestly think prison may have been preferable to the stress you put me under today, Joslyn. I think I’d like to go back.”
I burst out laughing, and she chuckles along with me.
Shaking her head, she says, “Seriously… This whole experience shaved a couple of years off my life.”
“If I didn’t have gashes in my feet, I’d get up right now to hug you.” My words are sincere. “Thanks to you, I’m alive.”
Bebe waves her hand, shaking her head again. “It was a definite team effort.”
Tilting my head, I study this woman who’s been pretty much locked away for the past seven years without any real human contact because she was in solitary. She is so kind, loyal, and empathetic. She’s gone above and beyond to work to save a woman she doesn’t even know. And I have to think there are remarkable things coming down the line for a woman such as this.
“Thank you, Bebe.” There’s no mistaking the gratefulness in my voice. “You are a true treasure to Kynan and Jameson Force Security. I can never repay you for what you did for me.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Kynan says as he walks up to my chair. He bends, scoops me up in his arms, then positions himself to sit in my place, settling me squarely on his lap. He nods at Bebe. “She’s getting a huge bonus.”
Bebe holds up her water bottle in salute. “I am not going to say no to that.”
I swear the cue could not have been any more perfect, because at that moment, my doorbell rings. I can’t help but smile at what I know is on the other side. It’s better than any bonus Bebe could get.
Today is the day her mom and son are coming to visit. Of course, Kynan did not account for the fact she would hop on a jet plane with Jerico and Rachel and screw up his glorious plans for an emotional, heartfelt reunion. When he saw Bebe in the emergency room lobby, he immediately got busy changing plans.
Kynan worked his magic, managing to get Bebe’s family on the next private plane out of Las Vegas to Santa Barbara.
Cruce must be in on what is going on because he immediately goes to the front door, just out of sight from where I’m sitting. Bebe doesn’t even know anything is going on. She and Lynn are casually chatting. I see Cruce walking into the great room. He comes up behind Bebe, followed by a woman who looks exactly like her daughter. Raven-black hair worn in a shoulder-length bob with the same high cheekbones and delicate nose as Bebe. And right behind her is a miniature duplicate of Bebe herself. Her son has the same bluish-black hair and crystal blue eyes as his mother.
My own eyes immediately fill up with tears, knowing what an emotional reunion this is going to be. Unfortunately, Bebe happens to glance at me as I start crying and becomes alarmed.
“Are you okay, Joslyn?” she asks, starting to rise from the couch.
Kynan just chuckles, and Bebe glares at him for his supposed insensitivity.
I can’t help myself, so I nod toward her mom and son who are standing just behind the couch. “You have someone here to see you.”
Bebe turns around slowly. The minute her eyes land on her mom and son, she falls to her knees and starts sobbing. Of course, I lose my shit and do the same. Lynn also starts crying. Kynan just groans, hugging me tightly.
Bebe doesn’t stay down, though. Her excitement has her immediately popping up with tears streaming down her face. She rushes around the couch where she scoops her son into her arms. Holding him tight, she buries her face in his neck. Her mother approaches, then works her way into the family embrace. They hug each other for the longest time while plenty of tears are shed. I turn sideways to cuddle against Kynan, and he squeezes me sweetly.
Eventually, Bebe is able to regain her composure to make introductions all the way around. She brings her mother and son up to my chair, and I feel stupid for not being able to get up. Kynan, though, seems completely comfortable with the way things are. We both shake Bebe’s mom’s hand, and Gloria
Grimshaw profusely thanks Kynan for arranging this trip. Then Bebe puts her hands on her son’s shoulders. At just nine years old, it’s obvious Aaron Grimshaw is going to be a good-looking man when he grows up. Right now, though, he is incredibly shy as his mom makes the introductions. But adorably, he musters up enough courage to look Kynan in the eye and say, “Thank you for getting my mom out of prison.”
There is no hiding the emotion in Kynan’s voice when he tells Aaron gruffly, “No problem, kid.”
Bebe moves off to make further introductions. Lynn vacates the couch, then totters into the kitchen. It leaves Kynan and me alone in the great room, snuggled in the big overstuffed chair with his long legs crossed on the ottoman. I burrow in deeper to his side and whisper, “I have a confession to make.”
He pulls his chin inward. “What’s that?”
“I think I might be getting a little tired,” I admit sheepishly. “But I don’t want everyone to leave. They’re all having so much fun.”
Expecting Kynan to come up with a graceful exit plan, I’m completely stunned when he just pushes off the chair with me in his arms, cradling me like a baby. He turns to the crowd, now all in the kitchen talking and laughing. “Everyone… Joslyn is tired and we’re going to bed. Don’t break anything.”
Everyone shouts out good nights and farewells, and I’m completely mortified he would just leave them all to their own devices while I am the hostess. Kynan starts walking me to my bedroom, so I call over his shoulder to my guests, “Help yourself to anything. You should all take a guest room. There are extra blankets and pillows in the linen closet. Have fun.”
In my bedroom, Kynan could not be more caring or gentle in his ministrations. While I would really kill for a shower or bath, I’m frankly too tired and there’s no easy way to do it without having to remove all of my bandages. I settle for him removing my clothes and helping me into one of his T-shirts. He strips down to his boxer briefs, then settles into the bed beside me. While I’m tired and exhausted, I’m also slightly exhilarated to be alive.
I’m deliriously happy to be cuddled next to this man who not only literally saved my life, but also rejuvenated my entire soul merely by coming back into my world.
Kynan sits up against the headboard, and I move closer into his side. He puts a big arm around me and holds me gently, twisting to plant a tender kiss on my forehead.
“Big day, huh?” he asks.
I snort in response. “The biggest.
Kynan shrugs. “I don’t know. I bet we could outdo it.”
“How could we possibly outdo today?”
Another shrug from him. “Disneyland? Paris? Rome? Those are just a few ideas off the top of my head.”
I giggle in response. “I love Disneyland. Let’s go. Once I’m back up on my feet, anyway. I mean that both metaphorically and physically.”
Kynan chuckles. We fall silent, the gravity of the day starting to push down upon us.
After several moments, Kynan’s voice comes across the quiet. “When I got your text, Jos… I literally thought my life was over. When I realized he had you—it was the darkest moment I’ve ever had in my entire existence.”
I push up so I can look at him. “I’m sorry. I was so stupid.”
He shakes his head, placing his finger on my lips. “No apologies. No recriminations. I only told you so you’d know how much I love you. You are the only reason for my existence, Joslyn. If you are not in my life, I don’t exist. It’s that simple.”
The tears well up in my eyes because that is without a doubt the most loving, genuine, and reaffirming thing I’ve ever heard. The fact it came from Kynan’s lips makes it all the more special. “I love you so much, Kynan. You know you’re the one who helped me escape.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “How’s that?”
“I had a dream while I was tied to that chair. I must’ve fallen asleep because of the drugs he’d given me. And in that dream, you and I were married and had children. We lived in a beautiful, rustic cabin on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. You came home from work, and I was so excited to see you. I just knew my life was complete. I asked you to do something for me. Something ridiculous. Changing an air filter I couldn’t reach. And you know what you told me?”
Kynan doesn’t say anything but shakes his head, completely drawn in by my story.
“You told me I could do it myself. That I didn’t need you to figure it out. When I woke up, I realized even though I knew you were coming for me, I had the power and the ability to do something to help myself in the meantime. So that’s when I started working on the ropes, struggling to get free. You gave me that power and confidence. Without you coming back into my life, that just wouldn’t have happened.”
Kynan dips his head to press his mouth against mine. When he pulls back, he says, “We’ve been given another shot, kitten. And I certainly don’t know what your plans are, but I totally intend to take it.”
“I think I’m ready to take it, too.” Smiling, I give him what I hope is everything he desires. “You’re my life now, Kynan, and I was thinking I could use a break from the West Coast. If you’ll have me, I would like to get this party rolling. I’d like to go back to Pittsburgh with you.”
A wide smile breaks out on Kynan’s face, and he grins from ear to ear. “Are you serious?”
I nod. “I’ve never been more serious in my life.”
“Then you have made me the happiest man in the world.”
EPILOGUE
One month later…
Kynan comes barreling into our apartment, and it scares me so bad I shriek. Putting my hand over my heart, I glare as I pop up from the couch. “You about gave me a damn heart attack.”
He grins, not sorry in the least, and strides right up to me. I get a quick, hard kiss on my mouth before he starts pulling me back to the door. “Come on. I have something to show you.”
We exit our apartment and he closes the door, not even bothering to lock it. There’s no need. The building at Jameson Force Security is as secure as a building can get. The other two residents, Cruce and Saint, would never steal from us. Their apartments are on the same hall but on the opposite side.
Kynan takes the staircase that runs down the center of the entire building. It’s my favorite feature about this old warehouse that’s been converted into a super-secret, subversive organization that does all kinds of sly things with the government’s approval, but would never be acknowledged as such.
I have to run to keep up with him. I’m afraid I’m going to break my neck. “Slow down, Kynan.”
He merely growls in that super-hot, alpha way, then scoops me up in his arms. He bounds down the staircase, all the way into the basement where the parking garage is. He’s extremely secretive as he loads me up in his Chevy Suburban and we exit out into the seedy part of Pittsburgh.
“Where are we going?” I ask. “New restaurant? You taking me shopping?”
“You’ll see,” is all he will tell me before he starts whistling.
“Saint and Cruce seem to be settling in nice nicely,” I say as a means to start conversation. I know if I can get Kynan talking, he might slip up and give me a hint as to where we’re going.
Knowing my plan, he’s incredibly vague when he merely says, “Yup.”
“I had lunch with Bebe and Aaron today,” I offer, smiling at how happy Bebe is now to be reunited with her family. They all live together in a small house just on the outskirts of the city. “Aaron is enjoying his new school.”
“That’s nice,” Kynan says with a grin, then turns the radio up.
I sigh with exasperation. “What the hell is going on?”
“How about you just sit back, relax, and enjoy a nice drive?”
Huffing with frustration, I throw myself back into the seat and cross my arms over my chest, vowing he’s not getting sex tonight since he’s being so insufferable.
Who am I kidding? I’m totally going to give it up to him because it’s just that damn good.
Lea
ving my life behind in California was the best decision I have ever made. Lynn and Harry were obviously sad to see me go. And while I am not actively working, they are still on my payroll. I never know when something good might come along, and I’m willing to consider everything. But for right now, I’m enjoying spending my time with Kynan. While he’s working, I spend my time writing music that feeds my soul. I have no clue if I will ever do anything with it, but it is making me happy right now.
Being with Kynan and starting a new life with him has become an absolute dream come true. There is no doubt he is my soul mate, and I believe the monstrous asshole called fate put Scott Carlisle in my life so Kynan and I could be reunited. I believe deeply within my soul that, in some weird way, I have a bit of gratitude toward that psychopath.
Scott Carlisle was arraigned in the Santa Barbara County court two days after he was arrested, and bail was denied. He’ll be in jail until his trial, and the district attorney promised me an easy conviction.
We head out of the city moving north, but I don’t know my way around yet. Within fifteen minutes, I’m totally lost. We’re amidst rolling hills, with the bright lights of the city far behind us.
Kynan reaches over and takes my hand in his, pulling it across the console to his mouth where he kisses the back of it.
He simultaneously turns on the right signal, and we enter a gravel road.
I have the weirdest sense of what feels like déjà vu, but it’s not. I’ve never been here, but it feels familiar.
When we come around the curve, a mountain cabin appears. It doesn’t look exactly like the one in my dreams, but I told Kynan enough about it that he came damn close. There’s a for sale sign by the mailbox.
I look at him, but he keeps his eyes on the driveway until he brings the Suburban to a stop. He finally gives me his attention. With a smile, he gestures through the windshield at the cabin. “What do you think?”
I slowly turn, scanning the house. It’s not overly grand in scale, but it’s certainly big enough to house us with room for expansion. “It’s beautiful.”
Code Name: Genesis Page 20